Referees Committee Admits Error in Goal Calculation for City

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) acknowledged yesterday that the decision to award Erling Haaland’s winning goal in Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over local rivals Manchester United in the fourth round of the English Premier League was a “judgment error.” City were playing with ten men after Phil Foden was sent off for kicking Bruno Fernandes, when Haaland scored the match’s only goal in the 60th minute, following a close-range finish from Josko Gvardiol’s cross. Initially, the goal was disallowed for offside against Haaland, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) later reversed the decision, despite Manchester City midfielder Enzo Fernandez being in an offside position and attempting to reach the ball before the Norwegian striker. Since Fernandez did not touch the ball, the goal was allowed, enabling Haaland to celebrate his ninth league goal in Manchester derby matches.

After the goal, the Premier League Match Centre posted on social media that the VAR “considered Haaland to be in a legal position” and believed that “Fernandez, despite being in an offside position, did not play the ball.” However, the PGMOL later clarified that the VAR “did not realize the potential impact” of the Argentine midfielder’s position, and that he “should have recommended a review of the incident on the sideline monitor.” The statement added: “We communicated with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we consider a judgment error. An investigation into the incident will be conducted.”

After the match, Manchester United manager Michael Carrick said it was “disturbing” that the refereeing team concluded Haaland’s goal was valid. Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez was the most involved United player in the controversial incident. Martinez said he was clearly affected by the presence of his national team teammate Fernandez in front of him, describing City’s goal as “injustice.” Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I moved toward him because he was in front of me, which is why Haaland was free behind. It is unacceptable for five or six officials to make this kind of mistake in the Premier League.” He added: “We leave feeling this injustice.”

With this win, Haaland gave his new Italian coach Enzo Maresca his fourth victory in four league games in charge, and United’s fifth consecutive defeat, following their midweek 2-0 win over Portuguese hosts Porto in the Champions League. In contrast, United suffered their second loss, with one win and one draw in the early rounds of the season.

Haaland told British Sky Sports: “It’s a new experience for me to win with ten men. It’s something wonderful, honestly.”

After a fairly even start, City suffered a heavy blow when Foden was sent off with a red card for kicking Bruno Fernandes during a challenge for the ball, in retaliation for a kick from the Manchester United captain, who escaped punishment (23rd minute). United continued to press forward, but the goal came from the opposite end through Haaland in the 60th minute from a difficult angle after a cross from Croatian Josko Gvardiol. United tried to return and salvage at least a draw, and Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo appeared to have secured it in stoppage time, but Donnarumma saved to keep his side ahead (5+90).

Brighton also added to the troubles of host Coventry City, who are returning to top-flight football for the first time since the 2000-2001 season, and their manager, former international star Frank Lampard, by thrashing them 5-0.